I've feel like I have three left hands and I'm right handed!#*£\>!!

Wow I just got my new Dovo and strop from SRD on Thursday. I broke it out this evening and I didn't do as well as I thought it should have. I understood every razor comes from there shave ready. I did the requisite stropping then did all the pre shave. Well I went to shaving or you might call it that. I hope I didn't ruin the edge. Any way I shaved two WTG passes. Didn't dare try ATG. It was not to great of a shave. The side burns and cheeks went well, but the neck was not good at all. I quit re-lathered and did a third pass with my EJ DE, and that felt like butter smooooth. Cleaned up the straight and did 20 strops on fabric and then another 50 on the leather. I've read all I can and watched many videos but I'm not sure where I stand. Advise please, discuss. Oh yeah I didn't cut myself and that's a plus.

Sounds like it didn't go too bad. I also have issues with my neck, my face is pretty much baby butt smooth, but my neck hair grows multiple directions and there are heavy contours which don't really allow a SR to get to without some odd hand holds. I'm sure there are better ways to tackle them, but I think I'd have to see a video of someone doing it on a more difficult neck shape. Doesn't sound like you'd have messed up the razor. If you didn't feel like the shave was very smooth, try more water in your brush. I had that issue with my first shave, and it made it feel like the razor had more friction on my skin then it should've. Anyhow congrats on your new razor and happy shaving. Cheers!

-Dye

Thanks it felt like it wasn't gliding to well and wanted to stick especially on the neck.

How long have you been straight shaving?

While the results are amazing...it's a bit like most things you ever saw someone do that you thought was amazing...it required some practice.

Don't blame the equipment, and realize that you cannot really blame yourself either...it takes practice. Once you get skilled at it, you will likely discover that the destination was worth the long trip;)

If you are already a skilled shaver, I offer my apologies. I know that my first few shaves, while fun, had results that were not even as good as my cartridge shaver. However after a few hundred shaves I can say the results are like nothing I have experienced prior;)

I have never used a DE but I can say it takes time to get a straight down. It took me 3 months before I got comfortable with it. Now I have to keep from taking risks I shouldn't. Things will come natural in time but it does take some time. Sounds like you tried the whole shave at first. I waited a couple of weeks to try my neck. It's the easiest part now. I don't here of any blood letting so it sounds like your doing great, just give it time.

Thank you Unit, for the advice. It was my first time. I've used a shavette a couple of times but never a straight razor. I guess everyone I saw posting how the straight was easier than the shavette I had expectations that weren't realistic.

I'll add this: I'm seven weeks in and I would say my first few weeks, my shaves were not as good as my cartridges. However, with each shave, I noticed improvement which kept me going. Now, I'm doing things, such as how I hold my razor, that I wouldn't have dreamed doing on those first few shaves. It will come, almost without you knowing. Last night, I ALMOST got underneath my chin enough for it to be BBS but not quite. Which makes me very excited for my next shave!

Thanks 10Pups and mrdubs, just hope I didnt strop away a good edge.

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Originally Posted by okbow68

I understood every razor comes from there shave ready. I did the requisite stropping then did all the pre shave.

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okbow,

I think your shave went south when you did the above. When they come shave ready, that means nothing is required before the first shave, no stropping, etc.. That has all been done, in this case, by Lynn. Just do your face prep, etc. and then you'll experience a pro honed edge, which will give you a benchmark for your future edges.

It's hard to say whether you can bring the edge back with stropping, but you can try. Light pressure, very level with the blade on the strop, and take it slow. If that doesn't work, you may have to use that certificate for a free honing.

This video by Lynn will help.

Straight Razor Stropping for Beginners - YouTube

Sorry, man!! I wish it had been a more positive experience. :gl:

Howard :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by okbow68

Thanks 10Pups and mrdubs, just hope I didnt strop away a good edge.

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And even if you did, you learn and move on. Is there anyone in your area that can be a "mentor"? Maybe you can find that out.

I don't know but that is what their website says if I'm not mistaken that it is honed and all that is needed is an initial stropping before use

Not sure about this area as far as mentors I'm in South Central Oklahoma. I've stropped lots of knives but no razors before.

Oh I read it wrong it say a stropping is Not required, I probably jacked it up.

I don't know if 50 or 70 laps would kill it but try putting your strop down on a flat surface (this make it easier for me) and give it a 100 more on the leather. Stay light and keep the spine down at all times. Better to polish the spine than bend the bevel up. It might also help to drag the razor at an angle more the 90 degrees to the strop. this will hep keep it flat. You might be surprised and bring it back. Lynn's video is great, listen to how many times he says slow and light. :<0) I am finding it hard to talk myself away from a board strop to a hanger because I have gotten so used to it and it's working out so well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by okbow68

Oh I read it wrong it say a stropping is Not required, I probably jacked it up.

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Easy to do in the beginning.

I'm guessing you're in that S.E., Bow. I'm south of Norman, and here's a local help list. Shooter74743 is north of Paris TX, in Okla.. Not that far from you. I'd be glad to help and I'm fairly certain Shooter would welcome you over to his place also.

Local Help - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Howard :)

I'm in Ada Sirstopalot

You're close then. Pm coming.

I don't think it went that bad.. Just keep at it. Shaves get better and better as I go along.. I'm sure yours will too

Yeah I wanna shave some more but the wife won't cooperate with me :shrug: and I'm out of whiskers until tomorrow LOL

Gonna give it a try again in a little while. I'll post results of second try.

I purchased a razor from SRD and was not happy with the way it shaved when I received it. I contacted SRD, explained the problem and they took it back and either rehoned that one or sent me another one. But they stood behind their advertising. I continue to buy from them. :beer1:

Well I cannot say cause I didn't try before I stropped. Probably me I'm betting. I have already figured out that this one razor will not be enough so I plan on ordering another from them so I can have a back up. Cant have too many right guys :rock:
At least I'm telling the wife your supposed to have one for everyday of the week.

Well I sure !&@!!! It up, it won't even shave now, crap. Took the shavette out with a feather blade and whiskers popping off all over the place, smooth shave. This is really aggravating, brand new razor and dulled it before I even tried to shave with it.

Don't get flustered we all start off at the beginning.

Many here have suggested practice stropping with a butter knife to get the rhythm and technique down.

Watch the videos practice and you will have it down before you know it.

Ask around you may have someone close that can touch it up and go over your stropping technique with you.

I'm glad I have another way to shave this may take a while.